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Wearing the correct size shoe is important to maintain good foot health. Without properly fitting shoes, you put yourself at risk for foot pain, foot pathologies, reduced function, or inefficient gait in the future. Believe it or not, about half of the population wears the wrong size shoe for their foot (Oke, Branthwaite, and Chockalingam, 2015). Whether you are a growing child or a full grown adult, your foot size is constantly changing. This means that you should have your foot measured every time before buying shoes. Below are some tips and tricks to understanding your shoe size and to find a proper shoe fit.

One thing to keep in mind is that shoe sizes on labels vary from brand to brand, and even vary between styles within the same brand. So, don’t worry so much about the number on the box, but focus on how the shoe feels on your foot. Make sure there is about a half inch between your toe and the end of the shoe. An easy way to assess this is by using “the rule of thumb,” in which you feel for your longest toe in the shoe and make sure there is about a thumb’s width between the tip of your toe and the end of the shoe. If your feet are two different sizes, you should accommodate the larger foot.

The width of the shoe should also be considered when selecting a proper shoe size. Shoe widths range from AA (narrow) to 6E (extra extra wide). A standard width for women is a “B”, while a standard width for men is a “D”. The widest part of your foot should fit comfortably inside the shoe and should not feel constricted . A shoe that fits too tightly around either the ball of your foot or your toes could lead to painful foot ailments in the future or make an existing foot problem worse.

When trying on shoes in the store, walk around in them to make sure they fit comfortably. After taking a pair of shoes home, continue to walk around in them on carpet to ensure it really is a good fit. Many times, it takes more than just walking around in the store to get a good feel for your shoes.

If you have any trouble figuring out if you’re wearing the correct-sized shoe, feel free to have a SLO Motion Shoes Fit Specialist measure you and evaluate your shoe fit. When you come to SLO Motion Shoes, our Fit Specialists will ensure that you are in the correct size shoe that will keep your feet happy and healthy.
Sources:
Oke, Funmi, Branthwaite, Helen, & Chockalingam, Nachiappan. (2015). Footwear
mismatch – do we wear the correct-sized shoes?. Footwear Science,7(S1), S76
S77.